Last week, a Ukrainian officer arrived in EU NAVFOR Operational Headquarters (Northwood - UK), being the first participation from Ukraine in the EU NAVFOR operation.
His Excellency Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukrainian Ambassador to London, met yesterday with General Buster Howes, EU NAVFOR Operation Commander, in order to be briefed on the operation’s successes and challenges.
“Ukraine is very excited to be participating not only in the multinational counter-piracy effort, but also as part of the European Union Naval Force”, said His Excellency Volodymyr Khandogiy.
General Buster Howes praised this initiative from Ukraine to participate in EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta.
During the coming months, Commander Vadym Popalov, from the Ukrainian Navy, will be working in the “External Training and Lessons” Branch of the Operational Headquarters, a key component of the mission for its continuous improvement.
Ukraine is not the first non EU Member State participating in the operation: Norway and Croatia have so far also brought their contribution to EU NAVFOR with staff working at the headquarters, and a Norwegian warship deployed regularly in the area of operation.
With only five nations contributing to the mission three months from its beginning, the EU NAVFOR Operation has since then been supported by twenty-four different nations, including Ukraine.
His Excellency Volodymyr Khandogiy, Ukrainian Ambassador to London, met yesterday with General Buster Howes, EU NAVFOR Operation Commander, in order to be briefed on the operation’s successes and challenges.
“Ukraine is very excited to be participating not only in the multinational counter-piracy effort, but also as part of the European Union Naval Force”, said His Excellency Volodymyr Khandogiy.
General Buster Howes praised this initiative from Ukraine to participate in EU NAVFOR – Operation Atalanta.
During the coming months, Commander Vadym Popalov, from the Ukrainian Navy, will be working in the “External Training and Lessons” Branch of the Operational Headquarters, a key component of the mission for its continuous improvement.
Ukraine is not the first non EU Member State participating in the operation: Norway and Croatia have so far also brought their contribution to EU NAVFOR with staff working at the headquarters, and a Norwegian warship deployed regularly in the area of operation.
With only five nations contributing to the mission three months from its beginning, the EU NAVFOR Operation has since then been supported by twenty-four different nations, including Ukraine.